TheSamba.com :: View topic

Fri Aug 21, 2009 7:04 pm

I've upgraded my Syncro with 215/75R15's and the GoWesty skid plate. No room for a spare under there any more... I see that the common solution is a swing-away carrier of some sort on the back gate. We're in and out of the back (dogs and temperamental engine) all day long and this seems like it would be inconvenient (is it?).

I'm thinking about fabbing up a carrier to go on the nose. I'm guessing that if I give it a few inches of stand-off I'll be unlikely to have any cooling issues, but I'm just guessing. Does anyone have any more info before I start cutting metal? Has anyone seen this setup or seen a front carrier for sale?

Thanks!
-Bill
'89 Syncro

Fri Aug 21, 2009 7:55 pm

I would think a front-mounted towbar with an additional spare tire carrier mounted to that hitch would be the best solution...?
KM

Fri Aug 21, 2009 7:59 pm

YOu could try to locate one of those doka tristar front tire carriers that are a skid plate too :lol:

Sat Aug 22, 2009 12:59 am

stormforge wrote: I've upgraded my Syncro with 215/75R15's and the GoWesty skid plate. No room for a spare under there any more... I see that the common solution is a swing-away carrier of some sort on the back gate. We're in and out of the back (dogs and temperamental engine) all day long and this seems like it would be inconvenient (is it?).

I'm thinking about fabbing up a carrier to go on the nose. I'm guessing that if I give it a few inches of stand-off I'll be unlikely to have any cooling issues, but I'm just guessing. Does anyone have any more info before I start cutting metal? Has anyone seen this setup or seen a front carrier for sale?

Thanks!
-Bill
'89 Syncro

Air flow to radiator? Cooling ?

I am myself investigating the possibilities of moving the spare wheel to another location than the OEM solution. I have rejected the rear mount as complicated, cumbersome and in my opinion perhaps hazardous to the health of the hatch which really is soft skinned as well as the problem of the small "shock absorbers" keeping the hatch open.
I am presently considering a donut out of an Audi mounted behind that is on the back of the driver seat, which unfortunately would rule out using my rear facing seat on the Wolfie.

I am all ears 8)

Sat Aug 22, 2009 4:32 am

The spare tire helps with a head on collision in the stock location so it is best to keep it there try this kit.

http://burleysmotorsports.com/zencart/index.php?ma...96d02bkqv5

Sat Aug 22, 2009 7:13 am

Alaric.H wrote: The spare tire helps with a head on collision in the stock location so it is best to keep it there try this kit.

http://burleysmotorsports.com/zencart/index.php?ma...96d02bkqv5

Heyo Alaric,

That link you posted looks like a very interesting product. I'd not heard of it before, and looks to be the perfect solution. Thanks for the post!

-CJ

Sat Aug 22, 2009 7:22 am

Yes, it is Big Buck$$, but for quality build, the racks by Gary Lee are hard to beat. I saw one of his "Vanagon Swing Away Tire Carriers" on a hardtop Syncro last week in Oregon at Mogfest, and it was very nice.

http://www.telusplanet.net/public/gary2a/vw.htm